The Second Time Around (The Starving Squad #1)

Chapter 20: Yours or Mine?

Nakaramdam si Fresia ng kilabot sa batok nang marinig iyon. Mickey, who was looking behind her, smirked. Nang lumingon siya, nakatayo na roon si Bullet. Lumapit ito at umakbay sa kanya. "You're on my seat," sabi nito sa lalaki.

Bullet was looking all serious and stern, natakot tuloy 'yong lalaking nanggugulo sa kanya. The guy apologized and left.

"Yours?" taas-kilay niyang tanong nang sila na lamang ang nandoon.

Ngumiti si Bullet. "Effective, di ba? He left you alone."

"Ah..." Ngayon naiintindihan na niya. "So that's what you did."

"I drove him away." Inalis nito ang pagkakaakbay sa kanya saka ito bumalik sa pwesto nito kanina.

"Didn't you even stop to think that I might want to have a drink with him?"

Kumunot ang noo nito. "Seriously? With that guy?"

"Yes! Seriously."

Pupuntahan na sana niya ang lalaki nang bigla siya nitong hilahin pabalik.

"Galit ka? May nagawa na naman ba akong mali?" may pag-aalala nitong tanong.

Nag-iinit na naman ang ulo niya. He was so casual with things. Ni hindi man lang nito iniisip kung ano ang epekto ng mga sinasabi nito sa kanya. She couldn't even tell him why she's mad because it's embarrassing!

"Nothing," she answered. Binawi niya ang kamay at saka muling naupo. "Let's just drink."

Hindi na siya pinilit ni Bullet na magsabi kung ano ang problema. But he was watching her drink, natatakot sigurong mapasobra na naman siya. He let her have five more glasses of liquor. She was already feeling tipsy after that.

When Mickey gave her another one, Bullet quickly took it away.

"That's enough." Binalingan nito si Mickey at sinabing, "No more drinks for Fresia."

Mickey gave him a salute and tended to his other customers. Seryoso si Bullet nang muling tumingin sa kanya. He must be really scared to be puked at again.

"Why don't we call it a night?"

"It's still early."

Hindi pa naman nadu-doble ang paningin niya. Para lamang siyang naka-salamin nang may grado kahit hindi niya kailangan. She's already glassy-eyed, but she could drink some more.

"Last one," sabi niya rito. Inagaw niya ang baso ng alak at saka iyon tinungga. Napangiwi siya nang gumuhit iyon sa lalamunan niya.

Bullet took the empty glass from her hand and said, "You've had your fill. I'll take you home."

Suminghot siya. "Your home or my home?" lito niyang tanong.

--

How does one resist temptation? Nakailang buntong-hininga na si Bullet mula nang makalabas sila ni Fresia ng bar ni Mickey. She told him earlier that flirting makes her uncomfortable, so he stopped. Ngayon, ito naman ang lumalandi sa kanya. Ano ba talaga?

Nakakapit ito sa batok niya habang alalay niya ito papunta sa kotse. And when he opened the door and tried to sit her down, she almost pulled him down with her. Good thing he was quick enough to strap her seatbelt on.

Habang nagda-drive ay pabaling-baling ito sa kanya at sa bintana sa tabi nito.

"Which home?" tanong nitong muli sa kanya.

"Yours."

Ngumuso ito. "You'll sleep on my couch then?"

Tumango siya. Where else would he sleep?